Summer is officially here! This summer, your children may be heading outdoors, playing with their friends on a playground, or splashing in a swimming pool to stay cool in this Texas heat. While playing outside can be a lot of fun, parents should make sure their children as staying safe while doing so. Here’s a few tips summer safety tips for kids this summer:
WATER SAFETY
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, drowning is silent and can happen in as fast as 30 seconds. Children should never swim alone and are encouraged to swim as a pair with another adult who can watch them closely to ensure their safety. The American Red Cross recommends children and their adult should swim near a lifeguard in case of an emergency.
Children are encouraged to use flotation devices while swimming. They can also stay safe in local lakes by wearing a life jacket that is properly fitted to prevent drownings. Experts say everyone on a boat should be wearing a life jacket, not just children.
What are the best colors of swimsuits that children should wear to be seen better in water? ALIVE Solutions, Inc., a company that specializes in aquatic safety, ran a test study on which swimsuit colors provided better visibility in both pools and open water. They found white and light blue swimsuits nearly disappear when in water. Their top choices which showed up the brightest in water were neon pink and neon orange.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also telling parents to help prevent recreational water illnesses caused by germs and chemicals found in the water we swim in by keeping poop, pee, sweat, and dirt out of the water. To do this, parents should take kids on bathroom breaks and change their diaper ever hour. The CDC says parents should change their children in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not poolside to keep germs away from the water.
SUN SAFETY
Adults and children need protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays to avoid a sunburn. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life, according to the CDC. Parents are advised to seek shade when UV rays are the strongest, which is during midday. Experts encourage indoor activities during this time for ultimate summer safety. If indoor activities are not possible, they advise finding shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent.
Children should also wear a hat that shades their face, scalp, ears, and neck. Sunglasses are recommended keep UV rays out of a kid’s eyes.
Wearing sunscreen is so important for both children and adults. The CDC says the SPF factor should be at least 15 and should be applied every time a child goes outside. They recommend applying the sunscreen 30 minutes before a child goes outdoors. Oftentimes the ears, nose, lips, and tops of feet get skipped, so make sure you don’t forget to apply sunscreen there, too.
HEAT SAFETY
This Texas heat is no joke and with temperatures already reaching 100 degrees this summer, keeping infants and kids cool is crucial for summer safety. Children should never be left in a parked car, even when the windows are open. Even if it feels cool outside, cars can heat up very quickly and can be dangerous. The CDC says temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes of leaving a child in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. This puts children at a higher risk for heat stroke and even death. If you’re worried you might forget your child inside the car, experts recommend putting a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is in the car seat, place the stuffed animal in the front with you as a reminder.
Also, the CDC recommends dressing infants and children in loose, lightweight , light-colored clothing throughout the summer.
Parents should make sure their children are drinking plenty of fluids throughout the summer. You’re advised to stay away from sugary drinks.
Try to limit your outdoor activities when it’s super hot out. Spend more time outside when it’s cooler like in the morning and the evenings.
